“Fundamentally, everyone is available,” said Lions head coach Woodward, who announced a 26-strong management team in Cardiff today.

“But I see the Lions (squad) being selected from people who are playing international rugby. If I feel we need to bring in a retired player, there would have to be a compulsive, cast-iron reason.”

Next month’s busy autumn Test schedule and the 2005 RBS 6 Nations Championship in February and March will provide Woodward with his main selection guides.

He has also insisted that no decisions have yet been made on the Lions captaincy, despite a recent report that Ireland skipper Brian O’Driscoll had been approached for the role.

The 44-man playing squad probably will not be announced until after the Six Nations finishes in late March, but Woodward’s coaching and management party – a record size for any Lions tour – is now firmly in place.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan, Woodward’s England successor Andy Robinson and defence specialist Phil Larder will have responsibility for the weekend team, with former Lions boss Ian McGeechan, Llanelli Scarlets supremo Gareth Jenkins and ex-Great Britain rugby league international Mike Ford taking charge of midweek games.

Woodward will oversee both groups, but stressed today it was about two distinct coaching teams working with one pool of players.

“There are no pre-conceived ideas, and we won’t be sitting down with two groups of 22 players,” he added.

“It is about picking players who are on form and playing well. It is going to be very competitive, and it is about coming back with a Test series win.”

Woodward though, also stressed the importance of enjoyment on the seven-week trip, and confirmed that his players would be involved in community activities such as hospital and school visits during their time in New Zealand.

“It is critical that everyone comes back having enjoyed the experience. There will be a huge emphasis put on enjoyment,” he said.

“I don’t want any players coming back from the tour, not having enjoyed the experience, win, lose or draw.

“It’s important that all four countries (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales) benefit from Lions year. Hopefully, we can put in place a blueprint for future Lions tours.”

Woodward’s management team features 12 members of the England World Cup support staff – Woodward, Robinson, Larder, kicking specialist Dave Alred, fitness coach Dave Reddin, team manager Louise Ramsay, video analyst Tony Biscombe, physiotherapist Phil Pask, masseur Richard Wegrzyk, chef Dave Campbell, kit technician Dave Tennison and Richard Smith, who will provide legal support.

That list is an inevitable end-product, given Woodward’s role as Lions chief. He knows that they are all tried and trusted in the international rugby environment.

Robinson, Larder and Alred, key members of Woodward’s World Cup brains trust, were involved with the 2001 Lions in Australia.

And Jenkins, the solitary Welshman involved, can now show a wider audience his undoubted coaching skills.

Overlooked for the Wales national job earlier this year, his record with Llanelli is impressive and he will have a key part to play, working alongside McGeechan, the most successful coach in Lions history.

Strong midweek performances will be crucial to any overall success of the tour, hence McGeechan’s crucial appointment in that capacity.

Woodward’s preparations for the 11-match tour – the Lions leave on May 25 - will be meticulous.

He will spend a week each with the Welsh, French and Italian national squads next month – all three countries play New Zealand on successive weekends – and stage a coaching de-brief session on the autumn Tests just before Christmas.

Woodward also plans a three-week trip to New Zealand in January, while team manager Louise Ramsay will leave for her latest planning mission next week.

“I am fully aware of the history of the Lions, especially in New Zealand, and our number one priority is to win the three Test matches,” he said.

“You cannot cut corners or take short-cuts – we want to work in a no-excuses environment. The Lions have got a huge history in New Zealand, and we will be going down there to maintain that.”